How to Set Up a Company in Uruguay (2026): 9 Steps

If you’re planning to incorporate a business in Uruguay, understanding the legal requirements, company structures, and incorporation process is essential before starting operations. Uruguay continues to be one of Latin America’s most stable and business-friendly jurisdictions, attracting foreign investors through its transparent legal framework, strong institutional environment, and strategic location within MERCOSUR. Whether you’re establishing a new company, expanding an international business, or opening a regional subsidiary, selecting the appropriate legal structure and following the correct registration process are key first steps. Most foreign founders form a SAS: it can have one shareholder, needs no AIN review and is registered with the National Trade Registry within 30 days of signing. This guide explains how to incorporate a business in Uruguay, the company formation process, required documentation, estimated timelines, and the main considerations foreign investors should keep in mind in 2026.

Thinking about incorporating a business in Uruguay in 2026? Below is a step-by-step guide explaining the company formation process, legal requirements, and key registration steps for foreign investors.

How to Form a SAS in Uruguay

The Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada (SAS) is the most streamlined way to incorporate a business in Uruguay. It follows a shorter route than an SA or SRL:

• One or more shareholders can form it. A single shareholder cannot be a sociedad anónima.
• The bylaws are signed as a public or private document and registered with the National Trade Registry within 30 days of signing.
• The AIN does not review SAS bylaws, and a SAS does not publish in the Official Gazette.
• SAS formed by individuals can use a fully online route with an advanced electronic signature.
• After registration, the company completes its DGI and BPS registration and registers its corporate books.

SAs and SRLs follow all the steps below. For a SAS, skip steps 4 and 6.

1. Choose the right type of company and legal structure for your business in Uruguay

Choosing the appropriate legal structure is one of the most important decisions during the incorporation process. The most suitable entity depends on factors such as ownership, investment plans, operational requirements, and long-term business objectives. For most foreign investors, the most commonly used structures remain the Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada (SAS), the Sociedad Anónima (SA) and the Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL).

• • Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada (SAS): A SAS in Uruguay may be formed by one or more shareholders (Law 19,820). There is no minimum capital: at least 10% of cash contributions is paid in at incorporation, and the rest within 24 months. The shareholders’ liability is generally limited to their capital contributions. This structure offers flexible ownership and management rules, making it a common option for entrepreneurs, startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and foreign investors.

  • Corporation or Sociedad Anónima (SA): A Corporation in Uruguay doesn’t have a minimum or maximum capital requirement. At incorporation, founders pay in at least 25% of the capital and subscribe at least 50%. Furthermore, it can develop any business activity, including banking and insurance, subject to authorization from the Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU). The liability of the shareholders is limited to their capital contribution. They don’t have to hold any personal responsibility for the company’s actions.

  • Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL): In Uruguay, the SRL was the type most used by small and medium-sized businesses until the SAS arrived. Its capital is divided into equal quotas, which cannot be issued as negotiable securities. This type of company can develop any type of business except financial and insurance. There is no minimum or maximum capital required and it can have between 2 and 50 partners. However, it can provisionally work with only one.

2. Appoint a legal representative for your Company

Appointing one is mandatory to incorporate a business in Uruguay: the legal representative is responsible for the company’s legal processes and obligations. The legal representative of a company in Uruguay can either be a local or a foreigner and a Power of Attorney (POA) is required that allows your legal representative to carry out all processes locally on your behalf. This Power of Attorney has to be signed by the corresponding parties.

All documentation that comes from abroad must be duly legalized and apostilled (if applicable). Depending on the filing, original hard copies may need to be sent to Uruguay. Documents that are not in Spanish must be translated by a Uruguayan public translator to be accepted by local agencies.

3. Prepare the Articles of Incorporation and the bylaws

The bylaws documentation allows for the constitution of the company in Uruguay. An SA is formed by public deed or by private document with certified signatures. An SRL or a SAS can be formed by public or private document, and a SAS formed by individuals can be filed fully online with an advanced electronic signature, without a notary. We recommend having a local lawyer review the bylaws. Consider that this document has to include the following:

• • Company name

  • Shareholders or partners and their contributions

  • Information on the share capital

  • Domicile

  • Management structure

  • Purpose of activity

  • Profit-sharing and loss bearing method

  • Term of the company and, for a SAS, at least one legal representative

4. Submit the bylaws and Articles of Incorporation to the National Audit Office (AIN)

For a sociedad anónima (SA), the signed bylaws must be filed within 30 days with the National Audit Office or Auditoría Interna de la Nación for approval. The AIN has 30 days to rule, and this can extend if it raises observations. The filing can be done online or in person. SRLs and SAS skip this step.

The AIN is an office that operates within the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uruguay (MEF), and it’s responsible for the control of the bylaws of companies. Once the bylaws are approved, the AIN will provide a certificate.

5. Register the company with the National Trade Registry (RNC)

Once the bylaws are signed (and, for an SA, approved by the AIN), the company is registered with the Register of Legal Entities – National Trade Register Section (RNC). The RNC is an agency that works with the General Register Office or ‘Dirección General de Registros‘. Generally, the documents required to register the company are:

• Articles of Incorporation

• Notarial certification of signatures, where the document was not signed online

• AIN approval certificate of the bylaws (SA only)

• Application form

• Payment receipt

The legal term is 5 business days, although in practice it often takes longer. The application can be submitted through the DGR’s online platform.

6. Publish an extract of the bylaws in the Official Gazette (SA and SRL)

For an SA or SRL, once the RNC approves the company’s registration, an extract of the bylaws has to be published in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de Uruguay) and another mass-circulation newspaper. Publication is usually completed within 1 to 2 business days. A SAS does not need to publish.

7. Obtain your Tax ID number (RUT) at the Tax Authority (DGI)

You can complete this online at a service called ‘Ventanilla Única’ a service that unifies and simplifies processes provided by the Social Security Administration or ‘Banco de Previsión Social’ (BPS) and the Tax Authority or ‘Dirección General Impositiva’ (DGI). Along this process, the company will obtain a taxpayer ID number or RUT (Registro Único Tributario) in Uruguay.

This registration must be filed within 30 calendar days of signing the bylaws, so in practice it runs alongside steps 4 to 6. An SA needs its RUT number to complete its registration with the RNC. Once the company has its RUT, it must also report its shareholders and beneficial owners to the Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU) within 45 days, or within 90 days if they are non-residents.

These are the documents that have to be submitted:

• • Application forms for both procedures

  • 2 copies of the ID of the partners or legal representative

  • 2 notarized copies of a document including the following information of the founders of the company: signature, personal data, and registered address.

    Consider the Tax Benefits of Establishing a company in Uruguay, before you start your operations.

8. Register your company with the State Insurance Bank (BSE)

One of the last steps to establish your company in Uruguay is to register the company with the State Insurance Bank or ‘Banco de Seguros del Estado’ (BSE) in order to be able to start hiring staff. This is mandatory once you hire staff: the BSE policy covers employees for work accidents and occupational diseases.

9. Open a corporate bank account

Each bank offers different types of accounts with many benefits depending on the agreement and goals of the company. It is recommended that the bank provides suitable pricing structures for international transactions.

Additionally, it is important to consider that some banks may have foreign transaction restrictions for companies that have foreign shareholders. It is crucial to consider this as part of your company establishment strategy. Identifying a bank with flexible policies will determine when your new company can start its operations.

These are the required documents to open a corporate bank account in Uruguay:

• • Articles of Incorporation

  • Proof of registration in the National Trade Registry

  • Copy of the publication in the Official Gazette (SA and SRL)

  • Legal representative information

  • Proof of registration at the DGI and BPS

After incorporation, businesses should also ensure they remain compliant with accounting, tax, payroll, and corporate obligations in Uruguay. Also, consider protecting your business by registering your trademark.

FAQ

How do I form a SAS in Uruguay?

Sign the bylaws as a public or private document and register them with the Registro Nacional de Comercio within 30 days. The SAS legally exists once it is registered. The capital must be fully subscribed at signing, with at least 10% of cash contributions paid in and the rest within 24 months. Founders who are individuals can do it fully online with an advanced electronic signature. Then register with the DGI and BPS.

At Easyco, we make the business incorporation process in Uruguay simple!

Incorporating a business in Uruguay can be a straightforward process when the appropriate legal structure is selected and all regulatory requirements are completed correctly. Understanding the incorporation process, tax registration, and ongoing corporate compliance obligations from the beginning helps businesses establish a strong foundation for long-term operations. If you’re planning to expand into Uruguay, Easyco’s local specialists can assist you throughout the entire company formation process, from incorporation to accounting, payroll, and ongoing corporate compliance support. Contact us to discuss your project.